THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Jason Thompson Delivers ‘Power Performance Of The Week’ As Billy Falls Back Into Temptation

Last week on The Young and the Restless, Summer (Hunter King) was really doing a number on Billy (Jason Thompson), and it’s unsettling to watch, because viewers know how difficult of a time Mr. Abbott has had fighting off his inner-demons, which in the past have cost him nearly everything. That being said, Y&R has set the stage for a storyline that puts Jason Thompson front and center as temptation will be all around Billy.

Kicking things off, Thompson was fantastic in several scenes last week, which all rolled into the other setting up the beginning of Billy’s downfall. First, Billy gets a visit from his brother Jack (Peter Bergman), who is telling his younger brother that he believes that he could be the bio-son of Phillip Chancellor II. What Billy is trying to wrap his head around is what Jack is really up to. An upset Billy says, “Phillip is dead, what direction do you see this going?” Jack says he needs to know, because he could inherit health concerns. When Billy hears him say the word ‘inherit’, he recoils thinking this search for Jack’s father is a scheme to take over Chancellor Industries, in which his mother Jill (Jess Walton) owns. Billy lowers the boom on Jack and throws him out of his office. He does not want to hear another word. Great work by Thompson.

Then, when Billy returns home, Summer snidely greets him with, “Bad day at the office, honey?” Billy says he is upset over Phyllis (Gina Tognoni) being out of town and misses her, and goes upstairs. Then, Summer makes a call, and all of a sudden a poker game is going down in the living room! Billy eventually comes downstairs and sees this, is drawn to it, and he struggles not to join in, but ultimately does.

The next day, seeing all the beer bottles strewn around the room, and remembering that he gambled, he is sick about it. Summer comes downstairs and he tells her this can never be mentioned to anyone. Then, Billy goes into a monologue of huge importance, with questions asked by Summer along the way.

Courtesy/CBS

Billy explains to her: “I’m a gambling addict. I’d assume someone would have informed you of that by now. There is no past tense. I am still a gambling addict whether I am recovering or not. It’s a lot like substance abuse, it messes with your brain with the same kind of composite patterns as a drug would.”

He goes on to talk about this addiction: “Every day revolved around the bets that I placed. I couldn’t concentrate on anything else, unless I knew how much I won, or how much I blew, and it didn’t matter how much I won, or how big it was, because I would only get the thrill, or the high, if it was bigger than the last time that I got my last payout.”

As to what made him stop, Billy says: “The sudden realization that I was losing everything good in my life … all the things that money couldn’t replace, like family, and friends, and love, or the last bit of respect, or dignity that I had. The obsession and the drive to feed the addiction, almost took my life. I needed a brutal wake-up call, and I got it, and it worked, and if I hadn’t gotten clean when I did, I would be missing out on everything … Phyllis, my kids, being the CEO of my dad’s company, and yet, I still sat down at that table, and didn’t give a damn about it.”

He goes on to say, “I was already gambling by the time I sat down at that table. By the time I touched the first card and the first chip, I was already willing to risk all of it just for the sweet taste of victory.” Summer claims she understands, but that he is being much to hard on himself as it was just one game. He asks her how she got into poker, and she tells him while she was in Belize. He tells her there are better ways for her to challenge her mind. Summer goes upstairs and as Phyllis is about to walk through the door, Billy sees a poker chip beneath his feet and has to hide it.

Looks like Summer is going to use Billy’s addiction against him to trash him life, and to either … have him for herself, and/or destroy her mother’s happiness in the process.

Jason Thompson is our pick for the ‘Power Performance of the Week’ for his honest portrayal of a man knowing his addiction, understanding what has happened to him before because of it, yet still being pulled in the direction of the thrill of winning and excitement at all costs. It will be heartbreaking to watch as this story progresses, but Thompson is setting himself as an early Emmy contender for next year.

So, what did you think of Jason’s performances in these key scenes? What do you think about Summer’s machinations of Billy? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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I have zero interest in gambling addiction storylines. I’ve never seen a good one and with the current writing team at Y&R I don’t think those odds are about the change any time soon.

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June 24, 2018 2:49 pm

Celia

Same here, Alan….no interest, whatsoever!!!! Especially because it is not Billy Miller—I’d care a bit more, in that case. Jason Thompson has not won the title of ‘Billy Abbott’ for me….and, since it has not happened after all this time? It never will. The same goes for his counterpart, Gina. Plus, I am soooo tired of reruns.

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June 25, 2018 10:07 am

Christina

I feel like I’ve already seen this exact same story with Amelia Heinle and Billy Miller. Wash, rinse, repeat.

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June 24, 2018 3:08 pm

Jeanne

I don’t give a damn to Billy Miller and Amelia Heinle and I can’t wait to see this story played by an actor who knows what nuances are.

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June 25, 2018 12:46 am

Tucker

Really – is Billy Miller returning to “Y & R”???

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June 25, 2018 9:22 am

Jeanne

The fact you truly think Billy Miller has nuances in his “acting” say all I need to know.

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June 26, 2018 1:04 am

Tucker

Right back you re Jason Thompson and his so-called “acting”.

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June 26, 2018 1:38 pm

Jeanne

LOL. I obviously hit a nerve.

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June 27, 2018 4:34 am

Christina

Good for you! I’ve already seen this story more than once and find it repetitive and boring just like every other Mal Young storyline.

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June 25, 2018 10:48 am

Kevin C

Jason Thompson did a wonderful job…I know a lot of people don’t care for Jason in the role of Billy but I think he is great in the role of Billy as he was with his role of Patrick on GH…I am liking the storyline between Billy and Summer but I hope he doesn’t fall victim of Summer’s scheme of trying to seduce him… I hope he fights the tempetation of sleeping with her for there is enough of that with everyone sleeping with one another…

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June 24, 2018 3:57 pm

Jeanne

The temptation of sleeping with Summer ?

Sorry but when has Billy ever shown any romantic or sexual interest in Summer ?

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June 25, 2018 12:45 am

Kevin C

Jeanne, we know how soaps go and it’s just a matter of time with Summer prancing around the apartment with barrely nothing on…

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June 26, 2018 10:15 am

Jeanne

I saw naked Summer trying to seduce Kyle. Just me ?

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June 27, 2018 4:33 am

Violet Lemm

Jeanne, OMG, that’s all she’s been doing since her return, is seduce Billy! That’s her objective to get him between her and her mother. Billy won’t know what hit him!

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June 30, 2018 4:05 pm

Violet Lemm

An addendum to reply to Jeanne. I think I meant to say that Summer’s objective is to come between her mom and Billy.Somehow my prev.comment sounds a little naughty,ha! Oh,God, it all sounds bad!!

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June 30, 2018 11:09 pm

dmr

I like Jason Thompson and like him as Billy Abbott. I just don’t like this storyline and I don’t like Summer.

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June 25, 2018 5:52 am

GramS

I’m in a group of over 10000 and the vast majority think Jason is doing as good or better than Miller. I’m looking forward to seeing his character dealing with the disease of gambling as this is his first crack at it. He hasn’t failed me in any of his interpretations of Billy Abbott.

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June 24, 2018 5:12 pm

Violet Lemm

GramS,here’s another Gram that agrees with you. I also think Jason, as Patrick was held back from his full potential.He has shown his worth as Billy.Like any thoroughbred, once they took the bit, out of his mouth, he outran them all.Even, old Victor hasn’t called him Billy Boy,in quite a while.

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June 30, 2018 11:18 pm

Meg. Reddekopp

He was great ,i do love Phyllis getting her karma,

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June 25, 2018 12:26 am

bantilau

How Billy gambling is Phyllis getting her karma ? SMH.

And why should Phyllis get her karma? When will Sharon, Victoria, Nikki, Victoria, Nick or Jack “get their karma” ?

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June 25, 2018 7:57 am

Timmm

Look, I had high hopes of JT when he was hired to play Billy. For the most part, it hasn’t worked for me. He tends to talk with a deep voice, lacks chemistry with the major players and seems disinterested most days. And I think him and Phyllis are the worst, But anyway, yes, he was very good this week with jack and the gambling angle. He seemed interested. I hope it continues since it doesnt seem like Jason is going anywhere.

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June 25, 2018 4:25 am

bantilau

I strongly disagree.

Billy and Phyllis are amazing together, all they need is a writing to fit the actors’s talent.

I think he has great chemistry with Gina, Jess, Peter, Eileen, Beth, Michael and Melissa. His scenes with his kids are always cute.

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June 25, 2018 7:54 am

Timmm

I will agree that Jason is good with kids. His relationship with Emma at GH was great!

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June 25, 2018 12:12 pm

Sam

With Billy and Phyllis it’s all about the sex

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June 26, 2018 8:41 am

bantilau

No it’s not but I guess people see what they want to see.

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June 27, 2018 4:32 am

Christina

Same. It was better but still not a fan. I watched Miller already do this story multiple times. Pass.

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June 25, 2018 10:47 am

Momo

Summer had to know about Billy’s gambling addiction. I am not interested in seeing Billy get sucked back into gambling.

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June 25, 2018 4:45 am

dmr

I have zero interest in this storyline. Summer’s return is awful. What a wretched character; and the acting is awkward and uncomfortable with no reason as to why she is so hateful and vindictive. No thank you.

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June 25, 2018 5:50 am

Bev Baebaro

I agree, not interested in the Summer character. I also agree that Mal Young is a disservice to Y&R. I do not care for his writing style at all. No happiness in any of the characters. Victor getting temp custody of Christian is disgusting and immoral. The only character I do like at the moment is Dina. That is a good storyline. Abby and Arturo, please give me a break. I could go on and on, so disappointed in the show right now. I have been watching since it began in 1973.

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June 25, 2018 8:43 pm

Kevin C

Hi Bev, I really had high hopes with Sally and Kay handling Y&R and a lot of people complained about them but I really think if given time Sally and Kay would of put Y&R back to what Bill Bell envision and wrote but unfortunatley the powers that be let them go…(WHO KNOWS what the real story is)…anyway I agree with you about Mal Young and I will say it again, Y&R doesn’t feel the same and hasn’t in years and I still LONG for the beautiful CLASSIC backgroun MUSIC back along with some great directing, production and writing.

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June 26, 2018 10:23 am

boes

Jason Thompson was fine in a supporting role on GH but he’s an epic fail as a lead on Y&R, no matter how long or how hard Mal Young tries to force the issue. He’s just not that good. And he and Phyllis are……let’s just leave it at awful and forced.

He’s FF material and has been for quite some time. And now, this nonsense with Summer? Another epic fail on Mal Young’s part.

Just look at the ratings and send Mr. Thompson either back to GH or the backburner.

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June 25, 2018 8:09 am

Jeanne

Jason is on YR and isn’t going anywhere. Are you seriously blaming the guy for the ratings ? SMH ! I don’t remember Amelia, Mishael, Peter, Eileen or Joshua bringing the ratings.

Jason on GH got three Emmy nominations in the LEAD CATEGORY. It wasn’t a qupporting role.

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June 26, 2018 1:09 am

Harry

Billy is making huge mistakes which will lead to his breakup with Phyllis. 1. He should have moved out of Summer’s apartment the moment she moved back in. 2. He should have come clean with Phyllis and tell her that her daughter is making a play for him. 3. He should tell Phyllis that he relapsed and gambled with Summer. Should of, should of, should of….. As soon as Billy and Summer agreed to keep his relapse a secret from Phyllis, they betrayed her. The next step will be Billy sleeping with his girlfriend’s daughter which wouldn’t be the first time he has crossed boundaries. I don’t like this story line at all. Suffice to say, it’s just plain icky. Moreover, I liked Summer better when she was snowflake. Summer playing a bad ass is not working for me. It’s akin to watching Bambi play the Big Bad Wolf. That said, I think Jason Thompson is a fabulous actor and he can pull this story off in a convincing manner.

PS. Is JT alive? Good Golly, I hope so. He had a heart condition so it may be that is why they didn’t feel a pulse. Please don’t let this be a red herring. I really didn’t like the idea of Nikki killing him and the rest of the women being accomplices.

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June 25, 2018 11:29 am

Violet Lemm

Harry, agreed with all you said. Wouldn’t it be something if they found out that J.T has this heart condition ( right after Victor dies),and they give him Victor’s, which was previously Coleen’s. How ironic.

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June 30, 2018 4:17 pm

MeMe

At first I had a hard time with Jason as Billy, but now I think he is great. I really hope he doesn’t fall into temptation either with gambling or Summer. I could definitely do without Simmer, she sure came back a little spoiled bitch.

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June 25, 2018 11:42 am

Diane

Never liked Summer before but hate this part she plays now.They brought her back not Adam Hope she is short lived on there Love Billy character don’t put him down the dark path again. It’s nice to see someone change for the better on these soaps

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June 25, 2018 5:00 pm

A Blyth

I think Billy should give back CEO to Jack because he doesn’t now what he is doing.Victor Newman schuld stop being so mean. Ever since Kathryn Chancler leaft the show any moor a the writers don’t know what they doing because the show is not that good any Moore . please change the story

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June 25, 2018 5:11 pm

Jeanne

Billy knows exactly what he is doing at Jabot and he is doing well.

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June 26, 2018 1:12 am

NMarieB

I don’t like where the storyline of Billy & Summer is going. I like how Billy storyline was going, him being CEO of Jabot Cosmetic. I like how mature & how he had worked hard to change his live. Summer on the other hand I’m not impressed with how much she changed & how much of a spoiled brat she has become. She needs a big reality check & really needs to grow up.

I think the writers should be focusing more on Victor’s character, he should get what he deserves. He has gotten away with too much & he needs to pay for his crimes. Nick needs to get his son back & have Victor loose everything he hold deer, from loosing his kids & grandkids. He’s a bully & had been for a long time. I hate how manipulative he has gotten by wrecking other people’s lives. He keeps saying that family is the most important thing in his life, but if he truly felt that way he wouldn’t be doing all the terrible things he has done & his still doing to the ones he says be loves. Please do something about Victor’s storyline.

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June 26, 2018 6:54 am

TAMARA HODGEWASHINGTON

Sorry gang Love Jason Thompson in this role.Granted, Billy Miller is great actor, but he needs to return fully to primetime. Like #Bull #BlueBloods, anything Shonda Rhimes is doing, hint

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June 27, 2018 3:19 pm

jaybird369

To me, this storyline turn is further proof that I STILL CANNOT STAND Summer!!!!!

N-E-X-T……….

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June 28, 2018 5:15 pm

k/kay

I have no problem with Jason just please get rid of the white sneakers ! Ok

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June 28, 2018 7:14 pm

Violet Lemm

Oh, I love his white sneakers, so cute! Can you imagine any of the other men, with them? Makes me laugh just picturing them.

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June 30, 2018 4:22 pm

Violet Lemm

I think his performance was fine, but character wise, I can’t stand seeing him fall under that little bitch, Summer’s spell. Then again, as the saying goes about where “the apple falls”, maybe it serves him right. How many times does it take for some men to learn?

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June 30, 2018 3:59 pm

GramS

Justin Hartley was NOT fired for groping anyone. WTH is the matter with you? In fact nobody was fired for groping HHK and both actors ( MM AND HHK)have said that did not happen. It was a rabid fan in Florida who started that rumor and fans who kept it going.

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July 4, 2018 1:53 am

toni

Well that is good to know…. what the hell is the matter with being polite? Storyline is still terrible.

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July 4, 2018 10:08 am

GramS

I don’t feel polite when I see someone saying Justin Hartley was fired. He left the soap because he got a prime time job in This is Us. Check your facts.

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sasha and Valentin’s Secret Out Of The Bag: So Where Is Nina’s Real Daughter?

November 4, 2018

As many had suspected, there was something up in the relationship between Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) and relative newbie to Port Charles, Sasha Gilmore (Sofia Mattsson).

The young woman who was introduced on the show back in the middle of September, and “turned out” to be Nina’s (Michelle Stafford) biological daughter (the one she gave birth to years ago), is not telling the truth, nor is Valentin,

At the end of Friday’s episode of General Hospital, Sasha is visiting Valentin at Wyndemere, where he tells her he wants her to go back to where she came from, and that if she sticks around, the truth will come out.

A confident Sasha says she won’t blow this and that no one will ever find out that she is not Nina’s daughter. Thus meaning, Valentin set this whole ruse up to wrangle Nina back into a romance and marriage with him.

But as for Sasha, she clearly is intent on not leaving town, and getting her claws into Griffin (Matt Cohen), even though he is dating her “sister” Kiki (Hayley Erin).

Even Ava (Maura West) is telling Sasha to go after her daughter’s man, because, as we know, Ava is a woman scorned in regard to Griffin. And let’s not forget that Ava and Nina are longtime nemesis, too. Adding to the confusion and deception are those second DNA results that came back positive to prove to Nina that Sasha is her bio-daughter, but she clearly isn’t.

So now that we know Sasha is a fake, that begs the questions … Is Nina’s daughter even alive? If she is alive, where is she, and who is she?

Share your thoughts on where, or who Nina’s real daughter is, and what you think of the collision between Valentin and Sasha, via the comment section below.

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Ashley Leaves For Paris As Eileen Davidson Wraps Her Run

October 30, 2018

Monday’s episode of The Young and the Restless marked the final appearance of Eileen Davidson in the role of Ashley Abbott, and the two-time Daytime Emmy winner left on a high note with an emotional storyline that could just earn her yet another gold statuette next year.

As Ashley’s family drama came to its conclusion, she tells Jack (Peter Bergman), Traci (Beth Maitland), Kyle (Michael Mealor) Billy (Jason Thompson) and Abby (Melissa Ordway) that she is taking the patents and leaving Genoa City immediately. She reveals that while she is completely disgusted with the Abbott clan, she is not leaving out of spite.

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

Ashley’s decided to start her own company with her own products. … and she will call it “My Beauty” – John’s nickname for her when she was growing up. Next, she goes toe to toe with her brother Jack. He fires back that Ashley has left Jabot for company after company, time and time again. Then, there is another flashback to an argument that ensued when they were kids over a mess that was less at the family pool.

Now in the present, defiant and standing up for herself, Ashley says to the group there is no offer from them that she would accept, because she plans to start her own empire in the same city her mother did years ago. Then, Ashley announces she is leaving for Paris on a jet tonight. When Jack and Traci bring up leaving Dina (Marla Adams) behind, who is losing her battle with Alzheimer’s, Ashley says she had made peace with her mother and that Dina doesn’t know who she is anymore, so it won’t make a difference to Dina.

Ashley turns to Abby and asks her to join her in Paris, but Abby refuses. They share a tearful hug. Next, Ashley addresses Billy hoping that their relationship one day can be repaired. Then, an emotional Traci tells her sister that she will always love her unconditionally, but she thinks Ashley’s making the wrong choice. The sisters share a hug. When Dina joins everyone, Ashley explains to her mother that she now feels liberated.

Before she leaves, Ashley tells Jack she has nothing to say to him and walks out. Later, Ashley is at the GCAC and gets a call from Neil, and drops the bombshell that she is leaving for Paris tonight and starting her own company, and she wishes they could have seen where their relationship would have gone.

Courtesy/CBS

Just then, Jack shows up. In a heartfelt conversation, he confesses to Ashley that he hates himself for starting this war years ago, and what it’s done to their family. He confesses that part of the reason the “blood Abbott clause” was added was so he wouldn’t have to compete against his sister. Jack finally admits that he was jealous of her and her talents! After apologizing to Ashley, they hug. Then, we go to a flash back to when they were younger and a young Ashley tells Jack she does not like fighting with him.

Now in the present, with a chance to reconcile with her brother, Ashley doesn’t take it. Instead, she stands up for her decision saying she needs to look out for herself now, first and exits After all, how many times can she feel less than by her own family?

Davidson’s final moments occurred on the plane taking Ashley to Paris where she toasts her exit from Genoa City and on to her new life, while Jack is devastated looking at the empty Abbott house, with a big question mark for the future of Jabot and with a huge rift with his sister that may never be repaired.

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

Following the airing of the episode, some of the cast who shared many scenes over the years with Davidson offered their sentiments on Eileen’s departure from the series, on a post on the official Y&R facebook page.

Marla Adams shared: I love Eileen so much. We’ve had so many wonderful scenes together. When I returned to the show, we did a scene in the Abbott Living Room and at the end of the scene Eileen cried. I knew then that we would make magic together. I will miss her but respect her decision and hope to see her soon.”

Beth Maitland sharedL “From the moment we met on the set these many years ago, we were sisters. Ups and downs, life events and comings and goings, we were always returning to the foundation of those days, and I will forever be blessed by the times I have shared with Eileen.”

So, what did you think about how Ashley left Genoa City? Did she do the right thing for herself? Will you miss Eileen?

Share your thoughts via the comment section below and make sure to check out our video interview with Eileen all about her exit on The Michael Fairman Channel.

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Abbott Family Drama Leaves Ashley To Make A Game-Changing Decision

October 28, 2018

Friday’s episode of The Young and the Restless continued the emotional and riveting Abbott family drama that flashes back to when Ashley, Traci, and Jack were kids, and then to the present day; which illustrates how their relationship as kids forever changed their grown-up paths in business, and with one another.

Last week featured some intricate writing and directing and heart-tugging performances by Eileen Davidson (Ashley), Peter Bergman (Jack), and Beth Maitland (Traci). As we head into Monday, it will mark the final episode of Davidson as she heads off the canvas and departs the role that she originally became soap-famous for, and has played on and off since 1982.

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

In story, as we flash back to the Abbott house in the 1970’s, a young Ashley tells John about her science experiment. She expresses that she thought that if she worked hard and won a ribbon at the science fair that her mother would love her like she has always loved Jack. Unfortunately, Dina had already left them all behind. Now in the present, Ashley sits with Dina, who is slipping further and further into dementia from her battle with Alzheimer’s for an emotional conversation. Abby overhears their chat and is moved to tears. Ashley tells Dina that she thanks her, and how she must have looked out for her when making the legal documents that gave her the patents to Jabot. Dina can’t recall anything that Ashley is saying. We go to another flashback, where John has to assure Ashley that her mom didn’t leave the family and all of them behind, because of her. When young Ashley cries, John promises to always be there for her, but little do they know a young Jack and Traci are overhearing this. Then, when a young Jack wants to share his feelings with John about how he has been affected by Dina leaving them, John doesn’t let him share his emotions. He instead reminds Jack that he has to be strong for his sisters.

Meanwhile at Jabot, panic is setting in between Jack, Billy, Traci, Abby and Kyle about what this all means for the company if Ashley becomes CEO and has all the patents. Abby tells the group about how much Ashley has felt unloved over the years. Traci tells everyone that not one of them is living up to the legacy that John Abbott has set, and that not one of them should be running Jabot now.

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

When Ashley shows up, Jack makes her a very lucrative offer on paper, which Ashley rips up An upset Ashley throws it back at her brother. Abby accuses her mom of going against everything John stood for. “Jack started it!” Ashley yells. Even though the Abbott family tries to reassure Ashley that they love and respect her, (and respect is what she wants from them, and feels she is not getting) she exits needing time to think. Jack doesn’t know how things got this bad. Traci explains that Jack was left to hold the family together after Dina ran out on them. A tearful Traci talks about Jack buying Ashley a cake when she won the science fair. Jack has a flash back to when he and a young Ashley were arguing over who was John’s favorite child However, Jack worried that John wouldn’t always be around, so he promised that he would be there to help Ashley if she ever needed it.

Later, back at the Abbott home, Traci says she knows how much attention John lavished on Ashley; while Jack had no one to comfort him. Finally, Jack admits he was very jealous of his sisters. Next, Ashley arrives firmly telling the group that she will not to take a back seat to anyone. Jack still holds firm about her not being CEO. Ashley then reveals a bombshell, not only is she turning down their offer, but she is taking the patents with her and leaving the family and the company for good, and plans to leave Genoa City! Everyone is stunned.

Kudos to magnificent performances by Eileen Davidson, Peter Bergman, and to Beth Maitland for delivering the “Power Performance of the Week” and reminding us all while she is still such a valuable asset to The Young and the Restless.

So, what have you thought about how Y&R has told the story of the Abbott children’s past and how it affect the present? What did you think about the performances? Share your thoughts via the comment section below. But first, watch Ashley announce her big decision below.